Fort Clinch State Park was a very nice park. They had campsites near the beach which were very wide open (but not available) and beautiful wooded sites inland (narrow maneuvering) which made it challenging for larger rigs. We had to switch campsites as our 1st site was too narrow but once settled, it was nice:
The park offered miles of bike & hiking trails and beaches to explore. A thick fog hovered along the coast while we were here - it would roll on and off shore throughout the days:
The beaches weren't the nicest we've seen - the water looked reddish brown (minerals in the water we were told) but the sands were flat and wide which was good for walking:
From camp, you could walk the beach to the fort:
And along the way we spotted dolphins fishing in the channel and this guy trying to catch some rays:
We saw several armadillos throughout the park too. For a nominal fee, you can enter the Fort from within the park. O'er the ramparts we watched, the fog gallantly streaming in:
The Fort was a good take with civil war soldiers present to answer any questions:
Our good friends the Taylor's from Cinci referred us to Fort Clinch & Amelia Island - we may have figured out their angle when we hit the fort's supply house:
Overall, this is a good place to stop for a night or 2. Wouldn't come here for the beaches but the biking, hiking and fort are worth the visit!
We left Amelia Island (just north of Jacksonville) for St Augustine (just south of Jacksonville) where we stayed at a very nice Stagecoach RV Park! Sites are all pull throughs with plenty of room. The park itself doesn't have a whole lot to offer in terms of activities (with the exception of a small playground and horseshoe pits) which is probably why there were very few kids around (making it a nice quiet place). Everything you need is close by including Camping World, Old Town St Augustine and St Augustine beaches.
St. Augustine was founded forty-two years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts - making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent. The old city downtown area has streets that are for pedestrians only - and perches with drinks for patrons to observe it all below:
On the water downtown is the fort "Castillo de San Marcos" which was built by the Spanish in the 1600's:
O'er the ramparts were a great place to sit/lay and watch the boats and people go by:
A few miles east from the old city and you hit St Augustine Beach. Very nice white sandy beaches:
When I wasn't giving lessons on how to surf here:
My other favorite thing about these beaches was that they were wide, flat and hard so you could bike for miles . . . and we did . . . with the wind . . . lots of cool sights along the way but not fun against the wind on the way back!
Another day we hit Anastasia State Park there . . . same thing but a lot fewer people (very nice!):
From the park beach you could see the 1874 replacement for the oldest lighthouse in the country which we climbed (all ~300 steps):
Incredible views once you reached the top:
Another day we took a sail out of downtown aboard EcoTours with Captain Aaron - great trip!
We had to wait for the bridge to open (which happens every 30 mins of the hour and half hour):
Incredible views of the city as we sailed:
Along with great views of the fort:
And the lighthouse:
So, back to camp. Like I said, this place didn't have a whole lot to offer but it's high on our recommendation list. You never know what you might see as you travel the country:
It's 5 O'clock everywhere with these guys! I managed to catch the shuttle taking off (120 miles south) - very cool thing to see!
One of the things I enjoyed the most on our visit to St Augustine and Stagecoach RV park was the folks I met there on the horseshoe pits! Dan (right, my partner, carried me in a 2-1 win) & Bill (who I may have converted from a spinner to a flipper - we'll see if he orders his own pythons) pictured here:
And blurry John (who was doing battle with me here covering each others ringers):
I have to also mention "slick" Willie (with a reputation but no worse than any of my friends or relatives that play) and Bob who weren't there for picture day - all there for the winter and great guys to pitch with!
It's off to Panama City Beach & Grayton Beach again as we start to work our way west before heading north. Suze is back home playing in the snow (and "working") while I rough it on the snow white beaches. So far St Andrews State Park in Panama City is looking pretty nice!
more to come . . .
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